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Public commenter urges sheriff to reconsider helicopter program and raise staffing concerns
Summary
During public comment Raymond Royer said he supports the sheriff but urged cutting or reevaluating the sheriff's helicopter program because of high maintenance costs, and he raised worries about fire-house staffing and insurance impacts.
During the public-comment period, Raymond Royer of Panders Hill told commissioners he supports the sheriff but questioned several budget priorities. Royer said fire-house staffing has fallen and that homeowners pay higher insurance premiums when ISO and fire-service metrics decline. He also urged reconsideration of the sheriff’s helicopter program, saying industry maintenance costs can be high — "close to 1000000 dollars just in maintenance for each helicopter," he told the board.
Royer recommended the sheriff consider alternative technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles and urged inclusion of bargaining-unit feedback, saying deputies were unhappy with changes to insurance coverage and cost-sharing. The board acknowledged public comment and returned the meeting to regular business.
